Ashford Borough Council’s lettings agency wins top award
Published: 30/09/2025
ABC Lettings has won a Kent Housing Group (KHG) Excellence Award in recognition of its work in helping thousands of people facing homelessness to find a new home in the private rented sector.
The lettings agency run by Ashford Borough Council scooped the top award in the Private Sector Housing category at a packed awards ceremony held at the Eastgate Centre in Northfleet on Thursday 25 September.
Hailing its work, the KHG judges said: “ABC Lettings is truly exemplary in the private rented sector. They continue to provide excellent services to landlords and tenants alike, as they’ve done since launching in 2012. Tenants have praised their caring, helpful and informative approach.
“ABC Lettings’ effectiveness and innovation shines through, sustaining tenancies, improving PRS housing standards and generating income for the council. All this despite challenges in the private rented sector!”
ABC Lettings manager Victoria Henham said: “For more than a decade, ABC Lettings has been working with private sector landlords across the borough of Ashford and beyond to help thousands of people to find a safe and secure home.
“This Excellence Award is a testament to the hard work, dedication and innovation of our staff who always go that extra yard to match landlords with suitable tenants. The award also signifies the trust and faith that landlords place in us to help them find the right tenants for their properties.
“The shortage of quality homes for rent across Kent is acute – in Ashford there are 21 applicants chasing every rental property new to the market. Tenants need greater choice and that means supporting responsible landlords to continue to provide decent quality housing. I know most landlords want to do their bit to help with the homelessness crisis, in Ashford and elsewhere.”
“Landlords need help now more than ever before and that’s where ABC Lettings come in.”
Who are ABC Lettings?
ABC Lettings continues to work with private sector landlords to help tackle homelessness across the borough. It works tirelessly to attract new landlords, offering a fully managed service for landlords who want a low-risk, hands off management service. For experienced landlords it also offers a tenant find service.
Victoria Henham said: “We have tenants who are ready to move into a landlord’s rented properties and we can offer a flexible package to suit each landlord’s needs. Our focus is ensuring that local people who might otherwise face becoming homeless are given the chance to make a longer term home for themselves in the private rented sector. Our message to landlords is that we can help, come and talk to us today.”
ABC Lettings manages more than 200 properties across Ashford, Folkestone and Hythe. It offers landlords a no hassle, no hidden cost lettings service – all from an organisation which has a reputation for a careful and considered approach and is not motivated by profit.
Dispute resolution – sustaining a tenancy
For any landlord who is thinking of serving notice (or has served notice) on a tenant. Whether it’s over rent arrears, noise complaints or a relationship breakdown ABC Lettings can use its experience to come up with a tailored solution to support the landlord in resolving the dispute and sustaining the tenancy. Therefore, ensuring continuity of income.
Bringing buyers and sellers together
ABC Lettings work with a few landlords who – even in this tough market – are looking to increase their portfolio or seeking to enter the buy to rent market.
A residential property standing empty?
Are you faced with paying a premium on the property’s council tax as a result? Speak to ABC Lettings about renting your empty property out and avoid paying that premium.
To find out more about ABC Lettings call on 01233 330811, email abclettings@ashford.gov.uk or visit the dedicated ABC Lettings page on the Ashford Borough Council website.
